Abstract
BackgroundTo identify spatiotemporal gait parameters and plantar pressure distribution during barefoot walking in people with gout and people with asymptomatic hyperuricemia by comparing them to healthy individuals with normal serum urate concentrations.MethodsEighty-seven participants were included: 24 with gout, 29 with asymptomatic hyperuricemia and 34 age- and sex-matched normouricemic control participants. Spatiotemporal parameters of gait were assessed during level barefoot walking using a GAITRite® walkway. Peak plantar pressure and pressure time integrals were recorded using a TekScan MatScan®. Results were adjusted for age and body mass index.ResultsCompared to normouricemic control participants, participants with gout demonstrated increased step time (P = 0.022) and stance time (P = 0.022), and reduced velocity (P = 0.050). Participants with gout also walked with decreased peak pressure at the heel (P = 0.012) and hallux (P = 0.036) and increased peak pressure (P < 0.001) and pressure time integrals (P = 0.005) at the midfoot. Compared to normouricemic control participants, participants with asymptomatic hyperuricemia demonstrated increased support base (P = 0.002), double support time (P < 0.001) and cadence (P = 0.028) and reduced swing time (P = 0.019) and single support time (P = 0.020) as well as increased pressure at the midfoot (P = 0.013), first metatarsal (P = 0.015) and second metatarsal (P = 0.007).ConclusionDuring barefoot walking, people with gout walk slower with plantar pressure patterns suggestive of apropulsive and antalgic gait strategies. Individuals with asymptomatic hyperuricemia also demonstrate altered barefoot gait patterns when compared to normouricemic control participants. Clinicians may consider dynamic gait outcomes when assessing and managing foot and lower limb related pain and disability in individuals with gout and asymptomatic hyperuricemia.
Highlights
To identify spatiotemporal gait parameters and plantar pressure distribution during barefoot walking in people with gout and people with asymptomatic hyperuricemia by comparing them to healthy individuals with normal serum urate concentrations
The normouricemic control group had a significantly lower prevalence of hypertension compared to the gout (P = 0.001) and asymptomatic hyperuricemic (P = 0.023) groups and a significantly lower prevalence of cardiovascular disease compared to the gout group (P = 0.019)
Our study shows that people with gout and people with asymptomatic hyperuricemia both demonstrate variations in gait parameters and plantar pressure distribution during level barefoot walking when compared to normouricemic control participants
Summary
To identify spatiotemporal gait parameters and plantar pressure distribution during barefoot walking in people with gout and people with asymptomatic hyperuricemia by comparing them to healthy individuals with normal serum urate concentrations. Individuals with asymptomatic hyperuricemia, who lack any current or previous symptoms of acute gouty arthritis or clinical evidence of urate deposition, report disabling foot pain and experience lower limb impairments and activity limitations compared to healthy individuals with normal urate levels [14]. It is unknown whether their gait and plantar pressure patterns differ from healthy normouricemic individuals
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call